The LCK’s fan culture was more akin to that of idols rather than sports, due to the greater firepower of female fans compared to male ones.
The actual proportion of male and female fans wasn’t drastically different, but there was a significant disparity in purchasing power.
To be honest, if I had been a fan and not a player back when I was male, I would’ve probably ordered chicken and watched interesting matches at home instead of going to see them live.
However, female fans are more likely to enjoy the sense of belonging to a team, the atmosphere on-site, and interaction with the players rather than purely watching the game.
In other words, those who attend live matches and even sign up for fan meetings are mostly women.
“Honestly, it’s not just the majority.”
During my pro life in my previous life, out of 50 people at fan meetings, there were rarely more than five men.
Most of those men were either dragged along by girlfriends or were coincidentally drawn in due to winning tickets by chance.
It was definitely like that…until now.
“Para, could you tell me which Yune skin is your favorite?”
Today, the gender ratio at the fan meeting was about even, and it was similar when I saw it at the stadium earlier.
Why did this happen? It wasn’t really something to ponder over and figure out.
‘Maybe it’s because of me.’
Male fans typically want to take photos or get autographs from pro gamers but often find the unique talk sessions at fan meetings off-putting.
Females tend to start conversations and guide them, but what would daily practice-focused gamers and game-loving male fans have to talk about?
If they really liked a player, they would probably try to continue the conversation somehow, but some players might not be as interested in the team.
Such interactions can feel burdensome to them.
Now, with me…
If there is a 17-year-old girl high school student (who dropped out) it changes things completely.
And I am not just any ordinary player—I am a streamer to some people.
I concluded that this could be why I draw a lot of male fans.
LOL Gallery
Title: My Life Changed After Getting Para’s Autograph
(A photo of a uniform autographed by Para.)
Originally, I was the kind of person in middle school who couldn’t dare look at the delinquents and would throw trash anywhere, spit wherever I pleased.
But after meeting Para and getting an autograph, I’ve started trying to maintain dignity.
I just picked up a discarded chip packet off the ground a moment ago and threw it in the bin.
Back in middle school, I couldn’t even look at other outcasts in the eye, but now I can confidently order food and even make eye contact with staff at convenience stores or study rooms.
Whenever I feel down, I just remind myself, “I’m the owner of Para’s personally signed uniform” while showering, and it instantly lifts my mood.
This is why they say your environment can shape you.
– Lol haha!
– That’s quite enviable.
– Wow, so jealous!
– Agree agree agree!
– My daughter likes it. Can you share?
LOL Gallery
Title: ARK Fan Meeting Afterthought
(A selfie of Para.)
It was a bit awkward asking to take a selfie together, but when I asked her to take a selfie with my camera, she instantly flashed a perfect shot with her face blurred.
Is this real beauty…? I literally couldn’t find the words the moment I saw her.
Why do people even watch idols when you can come to the LoL Park and see amazing games while getting to see Para’s face? Haha!
And also, because she’s such a young player and apparently has strict parents, everyone was very cautious.
– That’s a perfect shot.
– This is what a real superstar looks like!
– She’s already made it because she’s a gaming prodigy!
– She’s my wife!
– I also want a Para face-blur selfie!
LOL Gallery
Title: Compilation of Para Moments in the Opening Ceremony
(A GIF with Para standing beside Lesser, with the ARK logo rising behind them.)
(A photo of Para entering, holding the CK trophy.)
– She’s really beautiful, isn’t she?
– Para’s entrance was so epic.
– I’m cheering for ARK from today on; that solo kill was insane!
– Honestly, watching the opening ceremony always felt a bit boring, but with her face making those moves, it’s like a movie.
LOL Gallery
Title: Real-Time Para ‘Blow Kiss’ Spotting
(A photo of Para from far away giving a blow kiss.)
I couldn’t sign up for the fan meeting because I was late, so I just watched her from a distance. I noticed a lot of people around me doing the same.
I was just admiring her beauty when, right as it was ending, she turned and gave a blow kiss to our direction.
Is this the charm of female streamers? I feel like I’ve already been tamed.
I’ll be irrationally cheering for ARK now!
– Info: Para has an insane audience of over ten thousand viewers on her live stream.
– Ten thousand views can’t be attained by just having a pretty face alone, haha.
– Honestly, it feels like star quality is innate.
– Ah…I also want to witness Para’s blow kiss in person!
*
“Para’s use of Gnar in the second set to completely stifle the opponent in the second set really deserves acknowledgment.”
Park Jinhwan, usually quiet, praised himself more than anyone else.
“Who was the jungler that had six Yuchung stacks throughout the whole second game? That’s right, me.”
Kim Dojin continued talking while enthusiastically cooking meat.
“That was our carry in the second Mid lane who saw a perfect kill opportunity, wasn’t it?”
“Para’s perfect Mikael’s Crucible save despite my strange use of dash today… really shows I have no talent as a support player.”
“The tools go too far.”
“I almost died from misusing my dash, but you saved me with Mikael’s Crucible. I should have just let it happen.”
The bot duo wasn’t all that different either.
‘He must be in high spirits.’
After finishing our schedule, we were celebrating our victory in a rather expensive barbecue place near LoL Park.
As Kim Dojin happily grilled and served the meat, I glanced over.
“Do you think we can secure quite a solid fanbase?”
“But the purchasing power is higher on the female side… having male fans join is good, but letting go of female fans altogether is kind of bad.”
Our coach and manager were deep in discussion about the direction of the team even while eating.
“Should we hire more staff?”
“Really?”
“We’re now a first-tier team, and we’ve received some sponsorships.”
“Then can I stop driving?”
“No, you still need to drive… but I’m planning to hire someone for the tax work.”
“Eh…never mind then.”
“We trust only you, Seo Ha.”
“In that case, please give me a raise.”
“You’re already getting paid almost as much as two people.”
Since I didn’t understand much about team management discussions, I just focused on eating.
It must be the expensive place, but it’s surprisingly going down well.
“You like it?”
Kim Dojin kept passing more meat my way, probably because I looked like I was enjoying it.
“I can’t eat any more.”
“Ah, did I give you too much?”
“It’s not that, but I’m full.”
“I guess I didn’t realize because I don’t often see what you eat at the dorm.”
In my previous life, I must’ve taken on the role of leader, but Kim Dojin wasn’t the type to take care of anyone like this.
Still, it was surprising to see him as the team captain, looking after me and the other team members in place of me.
“Are you confident about the next game?”
“What’s the next game again?”
“IBG. It’s our third consecutive game against a relatively weaker team.”
IBG didn’t perform well last year but retained their roster.
Our next two teams are weaker comparatively.
It wasn’t hard to imagine us not losing.
But the problem was…
“The one after that… it’s YK.”
YK, the team that didn’t make a major impact in international tournaments but won both LCK Spring and Summer last year.
The typical team that always wins the games they need to win, the ones who despise the weak.
They were the toughest opponents for us now.
“Can we beat them?”
Kim Dojin asked in a less confident tone than he had just moments ago.
For sure, YK was a huge wall for a newcomer to LCK like us.
The only answer I could give to Kim Dojin was…
“Did you forget who I am?”
“But it’s YK! Only one eastern team managed to defeat YK last year.”
“Still, someone did. Who knows, it could be us.”
“Hmm…”
“Remember, we were the underdogs in today’s game too. Take a look at this.”
I turned on my mobile phone and showed Kim Dojin the match prediction on the official LCK website.
“The experts gave us a 1 out of 9 chance, and viewers’ votes were 2 out of 8.”
“Looking at it that way, this match feels doable.”
“Not doable, we will win. That’s the mindset we need. For professionals.”
“Isn’t that a bit arrogant?”
“Bending down and going versus confidence are two different things.”
As a pro, the hardest thing to achieve is more than skill—it’s the right attitude.
Most underdog teams tend to get scared and break down when they face stronger teams.
However, the teams that upset the top-tier show their unique playstyles and fight as if they can beat anyone.
These hard-earned wins provide experiences incomparable to others, and as they stack up, they become the ladder to reach the top.
‘To become the best…’
I had chosen this team and these teammates.
We might all disperse next year if we fail this season, but our goal this year is to reach the top with these teammates.
For that, I need everyone to join me in this, and they are all skilled individuals.
What is needed is nothing less than a determination to pour everything into every game, even if it seems like we are destined to lose.
